Streptococcus

pneumonia Streptococcus pneumonia is a gram-positive bacterial genus that can cause a wide variety of conditions, from ear infections and sinusitis to pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a key organism in human medicine, as it is responsible for a significant proportion of fatal and morbid infectious diseases. Indeed, it is recognised as a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world, especially among the elderly and young children. The pathogen can be prevented through active immunization against it, or through early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections is generally made by the isolation of the organism from clinical specimens, followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing. The use of molecular techniques, such as PCR, is becoming increasingly popular for the rapid diagnosis of the organism. In summary, Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive bacterial genus that is responsible for a significant proportion of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It can be prevented through active immunization or early diagnosis and treatment, and diagnosis is usually made by the isolation of the organism followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing. Improved understanding of the organism and its pathogenicity could help to reduce the burden of infection and mortality associated with this important pathogen.